Allardyce thinking about N'Zonzi and Deeney?

New Everton boss Sam Allardyce is reportedly considering a January move for Sevilla midfielder Steven N'Zonzi.

Allardyce brought N'Zonzi to Blackburn Rovers in 2009, and is still believed to have a close relationship with the Frenchman.

N'Zonzi later represented Stoke City in the Premier League before joining Sevilla, where he has been a key player over the last two seasons.

According to The Mirror, Allardyce is hopeful that he can convince the midfielder to join the Toffees. The report adds that Sevilla would be prepared to sell N'Zonzi for a figure in the region of £20M.

In addition, Allardyce has reportedly targeted a January move for Watford striker Troy Deeney as he looks to capitalise on the funds promised to him by majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.

The new Everton boss is allegedly willing to part with up to £40M to secure the services of Deeney, who was linked with the Toffees in the summer.

Reader Comments (103)

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Jack Convery 1Posted
03/12/2017 at
15:09:20

A hard case centre-forward who wins more then he loses in the air is a wall to play one-twos off and holds the play up when he's isolated.

A left back who knows when to go forward and gets decent crosses in for said centre-forward and chips in with 3 to 5 goals a season.

A centre-back who keeps centre forwards in his pocket, wins all the aerial battles, knows what to do when defending corners and free-kicks and in my opinion knows how to organise and lead a defence.

Nothing too complicated there. A pity Sam and Kevin Davies are both retired – they are exactly what Sam will be looking for. Most probably we will see Carroll or Deeney and Huth arrive. Van Aanholt / Cresswell or Chilwell for me at left back. The dream would be Van Dijk, Rose and Vardy.

Brian Williams 2Posted
03/12/2017 at
16:30:45

If we're paying £40m for Deeney, we must be paying for him by the kilo.

David Connor 3Posted
03/12/2017 at
18:47:27

A solid enough win for Big Sam's first game in charge.

One thing's blatantly obvious – we need a new centre-half to partner either Holgate or Keane. Funes Mori has to come back from injury – he could be the answer but looks to dodgy at times for me.

We definitely need a decent playmaker in midfield and the massive signing has to be a good striker. This has to be the end of Baines, Jagielka and Williams. We must also find replacements for Mirallas, Schneiderlin, Klaassen and Ramirez who could well be moved on in the summer.

All-in-all, at least 7 new signings between January and the summer transfer windows. As for Troy Deeney being mentioned as a £40 million striker. Does us a favour. That's taking the piss big time.

Andy Meighan 4Posted
03/12/2017 at
20:31:17

He didn't really strike me as a good player when he was with Stoke. But he seems to have thrived with Sevilla. Not sure if he'd be a good fit for us. But we're going to have to support the manager's judgement Let's face it  every signing is a gamble!

Charlie Lloyd 5Posted
03/12/2017 at
20:39:33

Newspaper reports so take with a pinch of salt.

Deeney £40m!!!

Brian Williams 6Posted
03/12/2017 at
20:43:06

As I said on another thread, if we're paying £40m for Deeney we must be paying by the kilo!

How do these journo's stay in a job???

Andy Crooks 7Posted
03/12/2017 at
21:03:03

I like Deeney a lot but there is a mistake in the zeroes here.

Dennis Stevens 8Posted
03/12/2017 at
21:13:00

If we're buying 2 players, I'd have expected them to consist of a centre forward & a left back, ideally one that can cover central defence too. Third choice, for me, would be a left-sided midfielder &, tbh, I'd have thought that would do  at least until the summer.

Paul Hewitt 9Posted
03/12/2017 at
21:24:41

We have £40 million to buy a striker. Doesn't mean we will pay £40 million for Deeney. More like £10 million.

Jason Wilkinson 10Posted
03/12/2017 at
21:25:20

I'm more interested in who will leave. My thinking:

Robles, as he wants first-team football.McCarthy, needs a fresh start. (Villa?)Barkley, can't see Sam inspiring him to sign a contract. Mirallas, needs to be playing every week to get in World Cup squad.

Out on loan:

Sandro, out of his depth in the Premier LeagueKlaassen, see Sandro.Holgate, if Sam gets a central defender in.Besic, needs to get his confidence back.

I think there could be one or two surprises in January.

Colin Glassar 11Posted
03/12/2017 at
22:41:08

Wasnt Vardy valued at £40m in the summer? If thats the case then Deeney must be worth around £6m tops.

Dennis Ng 12Posted
03/12/2017 at
22:59:22

Good point Colin, I think Vardy is better for us than Deeney. Deeney would be a more typical Allardyce forward but hopefully Sam doesn't go blindly for one strategy.

Derek Knox 13Posted
03/12/2017 at
23:19:56

John Keating, thank God for that then, I read before somewhere, that Sam had an eye on the January Transfer window.

Wait for it, Troy Deeney, Andy Carroll, Christian Benteke and Jermain Defoe. That was the strikers with him willing to go to £30M for Troy Deeney!

He was also linked with Danny Rose of Spurs, but they want around £45M for him, and Steven N'Zonzi who has fallen out of favour at Seville, would be available for £20M.

John Boon 14Posted
03/12/2017 at
23:28:02

I heard or read that he is already after Troy Deeney and Stephen N'Zonzi. I hope that it just gossip. If Deeney is not good enough for Watford then he is certainly not good enough for us.

As for the other guy, if I can't spell his name then we definitely don't need him. What has happened to our society when instead of Fred, Frank, Billy or Joe we have Troy, Ashley, Quentin and many others that I can't even pronounce? Even my beloved Blues have their share.

As much as I really like the kid as a future player and a great example of Everton spirit why did Kenny get to be Jonjoe? What a daft name. I suppose that his Mum wanted Jon and his Dad liked Joe. Sorry but Jonjoe is something that you are called up to the age of four or perhaps five.

He is a tough kid. I call him John, I'm biased. And I only call him that when he plays well! I know, I know, I am politically incorrect and probably too old to really have an opinion. I am also a scouser and not a Norwegian, like 70 percent of that other team.

Drew O'Neall 15Posted
03/12/2017 at
23:45:28

We dont need a goal machine up front just someone mobile to hold it up and allow our midfield to get forward, a job Niasse has demonstrated to young Calvert-Lewin on a few occasions.

I would like to see a bigger frame than Niasses in the Everton number 9 shirt but Oumar can do a job until January.

Id like to see the continuation of the youth first transfer policy although the aforementioned skill set doesnt usually develop until the mid 20s.

Deeney for £40m is laughable but he is the ‘type we need.

Steavey Buckley 16Posted
03/12/2017 at
23:55:31

Most of the best players in the Premier League were at their best before their mid 20s, so why is their an expensive obsession buying players in their late 20s for silly money with little or no sell-on value?

Bolasie is now 28, and after his awful injury, we may never see the best of him again, being so late in his career.

Alan Ball, one of Everton's greatest, was a world class player at 21 but at 26 his best years were behind him.

Clive Rogers 17Posted
03/12/2017 at
23:56:16

Watford have not been picking Deeney. He has only started 4 games. At almost 30, it looks like he is in decline.

Don Alexander 18Posted
04/12/2017 at
01:03:50

Even I think I'm sounding like a broken record but if the limit of our ambition is the likes of N'Zonzi and/or Deeney I really do want the board/owner to be taken to task, again.

N'Zonzi is seemingly 6'-3" in old money so that fits the lazy journo profile of Allardyce wanting only "big units", but Deeney is only 6'-0", so why him?

Those same "reliable" journo's are today reporting that Giroud has been advised that to have any hope of making the French World Cup team he has to go out on loan, minimum, to gain match-time and then be seen to play well. Hmmm.

Geoff Lambert 19Posted
04/12/2017 at
01:07:59

"Most of the best players in the Premier League were at their best before their mid 20s".

Like who Steavey?

Jason Broome 20Posted
04/12/2017 at
01:12:08

We don't need another Number 10. We need a striker who bags a mountain of goals. Unbelievable that we just don't seem to learn.

Dembele is scoring a lot of goals again. He has everything Deeney and N'Zonzi has combined, is much younger and will cost the same amount if not less.

Hoping these rumours aren't true.

Dave Lynch 21Posted
04/12/2017 at
01:23:23

To compare Alan Ball (bows down in homage) to today's players is ridiculous.

Training methods, diet and lifestyle are all different nowadays and players can play a lot longer at a higher level than those in the 70's.

I never expected anything else off Allardyce TBH, proven journeymen at an inflated price are what he is all about.

Akocha, Campo and the like where in their twilight years when he signed them at Bolton and I expect an influx of them at Everton come the transfer window.

It really is very underwhelming, as I fear the future reeks of mediocrity and industrial football.

Steavey Buckley 22Posted
04/12/2017 at
01:42:53

Geoff (#19) Most of the best players in the Premier League were at their best before their mid 20's.

"Like who Steavey?"

Lukaku and Harry Kane  both Premier League top goal scorers, 2016-17 season, before their 24th birthdays. Kane is now worth about £200 million. Tell me, what other 28-year-old would command such transfer? Dele Alli at 21 is also put in the £200 million transfer bracket.

All the best Premier League players are at the best before their 25th birthday. That's why they attract silly money. Take Neymar for example, went to PSG for £200 million plus. He was one of the best players at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 when he was about 21 or 22.

John Pierce 23Posted
04/12/2017 at
02:12:52

Asked about players, Allardyce said he knew what positions but not who yet.This is an area he has to do the convincing in if he is to persuade me he is not here for a re-run of the movies he's made before at Palace, Sunderland etc.

If he hauls in his usual brigade of rescue heroes, then I think we have every right to be irked. He must break with the short-termism his tenures are associated with. These type of signings offer no more than a sticking plaster.

Those mentioned are not players I wish to see at Everton. Don's posting above is a view I lean towards.

Getting Van Arnholt or N'Zonzi is just like employing Allardyce himself. They've been around and gotten no better than mid table in their Premier League careers. Recycling these guys is just money for their agents.

Fresh, different and of high quality. Can he do that? We are not his usual rescue basket case; we are our own special brand of craziness. He should already be looking up not down.

We are desperate for a left back, centre-forward & centre-back in the window. So Everton's aim should not waiver, regardless of manager or position.

Granted the January window is difficult but Everton must get three quality players in.

Geoff Lambert 24Posted
04/12/2017 at
02:47:21

Steavey: "All the best Premier League players are at the best before their 25th birthday."

I hope he can now shop at Harrod's and not make do with special offers from Lidl and the Co-op.

He must be given a warchest in January and next season. Top centre-half, top striker, quality left-back, And no more No 10s please. If we are to challenge the top 6.

Steavey Buckley 27Posted
04/12/2017 at
03:29:50

Geoff, players when they reach their best before 25 don't suddenly get worse. It's gradual  you appear not accept the wear and tear of players bodies.

Although with Ross Barkley I last saw him at his best with his first season playing for Martinez when he was 19 going on 20. That was the season Everton accumulated 75 points, a Premier League record for Everton. I do reckon the reason Everton have not played as well since then, Barkley has not been at his best.

Bill Gienapp 28Posted
04/12/2017 at
03:40:30

There's no way in hell Deeney would command £40-million, where on earth did that sum come from? He can barely even get on the pitch for Watford.

Anyway, he's an honest, hard-working player, but hardly a significant improvement on what we already have. Our striker situation isn't nearly as dire as some would have you believe  Niasse can score goals and generate chaos, Calvert-Lewin continues to improve and I'm not at all convinced Sandro wouldn't prove to be an asset if he was given an actual run of games.

Which isn't to say we shouldn't make a move in January, but we need to bring in established quality  not just signings for the sake of signings.

Will Mabon 29Posted
04/12/2017 at
03:48:02

True or not, having Deeney even linked in rumour says everything about the expected direction of the team and club.

David Ellis 30Posted
04/12/2017 at
03:59:19

Will... yes but if those rumours aren't true those expectations are wrong. I am hoping that the press are wrong about Allardyce. He's not simply a long ball / set piece merchant. He's used that in the past because of the hand he's been dealt. But he has a bit more options and ambition at Everton to use.

Deeney looks like a crazy signing for me... but Marcus Bent did the business for us (and we couldn't afford Darren Bent at the time who would have done nicely), so maybe it could work. So did Andy Gray.

First and foremost I would like to see us get better performances from the players we have. We have a lorry load of central midfielders  we don't need another we just need to get them to perform at the level they have in the past.

Geoff Lambert 31Posted
04/12/2017 at
04:06:26

Steavey, Premier League players play well in to their 30s, as do other sporting greats, and they don't fade away once they reach 25.

Take athletics for example: Linford Christie, gold medal when he was 32; Carl Lewis, gold at 31; Usain Bolt, 2 golds at 30.

Leaving 23- & 24-year-olds in their wake.

Eric Cantona did not join Man Utd till he was 26... And the rest is history.

Just because you reach 25 it does not mean you are going to be affected by wear and tear and be on the scrap heap at 30.

Now if we can sign some players in the 25 to 30 age group, I will not be to disappointed.

Will Mabon 32Posted
04/12/2017 at
05:28:38

David, I agree with some of what you say but Allardyce is a long ball merchant historically. Perhaps the roles he's had in certain circumstances with particular teams, have dictated that in his mind. Maybe there's more to him... we'll see.

As you allude, Everton hopefully gives him options he's not had before. I'd venture this squad is potentially better than any he's had previously, and agree that bringing out that potential and resurrecting their form will show what he has to offer as a manager. We don't have perceived Allardyce type players in the squad now, so changing to that type would require wide scale and obvious changes.

Deeney is rumour of course, for now. Probably also, him supposedly conceding that Barkley may still leave in the summer. As things firm up approaching January, and in the window itself, we'll learn much in player movements on top of the actual play in the interim.

Peter Larkin 33Posted
04/12/2017 at
05:42:44

Have to laugh at people turning their noses up at N'Zonzi, this lad is a powerhouse of a midfielder, proper box-to-box, 6ft-3in and very clever on the ball. I'd sell Schneiderlin to Stoke or whoever wants him and put N'Zonzi beside a ball player. As much as I love Gana he is pretty awful on the ball.

Sam Hoare 34Posted
04/12/2017 at
07:54:37

Peter has beaten me to the post!

People writing off N'Zonzi presumably have not seen him play that much recently?

Admittedly he did not stand out that much in a mediocre Stoke team but then who would. He has been brilliant in Spain, fierce in the tackle, dominant in the air AND very useful indeed on the ball, racking up good passing stats and some useful goals and assists.

Like Peter I think he'd be an upgrade on Schneiderlin and indeed anyone else we have in the middle.

Deeney, not so much... worth pointing out that Calvert-Lewin wins more aerial duels per game than him (and indeed most players in the league). It will be very hard to find a good striker available in January, unless we pay dramatically over the odds, a la Sigurdsson. Dembele still looks a decent prospect. Giroud would still be my preferred 'target man'.

Mark Murphy 35Posted
04/12/2017 at
08:30:57

The problem we have is that everybody knows we need a striker. Deeney may not be worth £40m but that's probably what it would cost to get him in January. We need someone until the summer when the Henry lad, who we've already bought, can come in.

As for Sandro, I really don't understand why he hasn't worked. He was superb in and for Spain and all my Spanish mates rate him highly.

Les Martin 36Posted
04/12/2017 at
08:48:40

As well as the striker position, I suggest you look at who Sam brought in when England manager, Michail Antonio and Luke Shaw were touted very highly by him.

It would not surprise me if one or both of these players are in Sam's thoughts, with Baines coming towards the end of his career, and Lennon and Mirallas?

An interesting January and the fact that we have money. Also, there maybe one or two shipped out.

Andy Meighan 37Posted
04/12/2017 at
09:14:43

Lukaku, one of the best players in the Premier League. 1 goal in 13... I rest my case. Not the goal machine he's obviously mistaken for.

Steve Croston 38Posted
04/12/2017 at
09:26:32

Chilwell, quick centre-half please, and a new striker are all on my Chrimbo list.

I'd disregard all the usual paper nonsense, but Deeney fits in with the Allardyce ethic, so expect someone along those lines. (Surely even we won't spend £40m on the Watford striker?)

COYB

Dave Abrahams 39Posted
04/12/2017 at
09:30:25

Get angry and upset if some of the players mentioned actually sign for the Blues, but save it until they do. It's nearly a month before we sign anyone.

Keep a list from now until January of players we are allegedly interested in signing, it will be long enough for two or three teams.

Geoff Lambert 40Posted
04/12/2017 at
09:45:20

Sam, N'Zonzi has been playing in Spain so like Sandro might not be up to the Premier League, The way he played at Stoke might be a better yardstick.

Derek Thomas 41Posted
04/12/2017 at
09:50:32

Giroud turned us down, others wouldn't come and the rest weren't, by all accounts, value for money. So how come £40M for Deeney suddenly is?  Panic, that's why.

There must be better out there for that price, panic or no panic.

Sam Hoare 42Posted
04/12/2017 at
10:30:11

Geoff, a fair point but N'Zonzi possesses much greater physical attributes than Sandro which suit him to the Premier League. Plus he didn't do so badly at Stoke, in fact he was their player of the season the year before he left.

And Sandro has not had much time or opportunity yet. I still hope he'll prove a good acquisition in time (of which he has plenty).

Simon Smith 43Posted
04/12/2017 at
10:37:18

Deeney... One word: Really?!?

John Hammond 44Posted
04/12/2017 at
10:59:55

Haha... £40m for Deeney who's 30 in June and not a guaranteed starter for Watford. I know we spent some ridiculous money in the summer but surely we're not that stupid!

Keith Monaghan 45Posted
04/12/2017 at
12:35:37

A lot of us need a reality check; signing quality players in January has proven to be difficult for years. More significantly, few quality players are happy to sign for a club not competing for Champions League places.

Many are far too quick to write off Klaassen and Sandro  how much opportunity have they been given, especially in terms of consecutive full games?

David Israel 46Posted
04/12/2017 at
13:37:52

The best players to be had in any given January transfer window are mainly loanees. Perhaps Giroud can be convinced to come on loan until the end of the season.

Yes to N'Zonzi, good all round player in a position where in terms of numbers we are strong but in terms of quality, we're struggling. If we can get some legs and power around the lack of pace of Rooney and Sigurdsson then they can flourish

A middle trio of Rooney, N'Zonzi and Gueye/Davies looks good to me.

Steve Ferns 48Posted
04/12/2017 at
14:32:09

If you put multiple reports together, then you get that Deeney was one of the strikers put forward by Steve Walsh in the summer, but deemed not good enough by Koeman. Allardyce obviously thinks he can do a job for us.

Might not be a bad signing, but only as a squad player, and for a good price. £40m is 4 times too much. Surely, Walsh can find better.

Nzonzi (correct spelling not N'Zonzi according to the man himself) is a decent player and would be an interesting alternative to Schneiderlin as he has a good range of passing. However, if we are to play a 43--3, then I think we have enough already, and we need attention to the striker (2 if Deeney is 1 of them), a left back, a centre back, and a left winger (unless Bolasie shows he has full range of movement back in his knee).

Let's hope reports that Allardyce is going to sign these players to replace the kids is not true, ie, Deeney for Calvert-Lewin, Nzonzi for Davies.

Peter Gorman 49Posted
04/12/2017 at
14:36:57

I like Troy Deeney  I think he could be £5 million well spent.

John Keating 50Posted
04/12/2017 at
14:40:28

Keith 44 correct. What top striker would want to leave their club to join us ?

Loanees or overpriced second rate strikers only I'm afraid.

I have mentioned many times on other threads that if there was any chance of getting Kieran Tierney from Celtic at left back it would be well worth it and, in my opinion, a far better option than Shaw.

Gibson at Boro plays left back or left central defender a la Mori might be worth a punt.

Steve Ferns 51Posted
04/12/2017 at
14:48:21

Gibson of Boro is worth a serious look. He would cost good money and we would need to assess whether he is worth it. Boro should be persuaded and the player too, unlike players from teams in the Premier League.

Another alternative at left footed centre back is Mangala of Man City. He would also cost a bit and is not young. He's not had a good time of it at City, but has come into the side with their injury issues. City may be persuaded to sell in the window to finance a ball playing centre-back of the type that Guardiola likes.

David Currie 52Posted
04/12/2017 at
15:08:36

Deeney is an average player who can't get in the Watford team. Get the Henry kid back from Anderlecht in January If possible.

Iain Thomson 53Posted
04/12/2017 at
15:14:31

Striker and a left back as stated by many.

Teirney and Dembele from Celtic... One deal both problems fixed.

John Keating 54Posted
04/12/2017 at
15:22:13

Iain, the thing about Dembele is that he tends to want ball to feet, not the best at chasing down and running the channels which I think is the reason why it has never gone to a bigger stage. A bit lazy for me.

Admittedly Rodgers plays him but Leigh Griffiths is still his go to to get the goals if necessary.

Neil Wood 55Posted
04/12/2017 at
15:43:40

Keith @ 45  totally agree. Sandro especially. He is an exceptional talent and to write him off is ludicrous.

Yes he's not started as brightly as we would hope but a lot from overseas take time to gel and get up to speed.

Get Garbett in the Premier League squad in January & maybe (if poss) recall Galloway from Sunderland.

Soren Moyer 57Posted
04/12/2017 at
16:35:38

A big No to fat Troy  even if he was available for free.

Paul Kossoff 58Posted
04/12/2017 at
16:45:39

£40 million? For a 29-year-old who can't get in the Watford side! Now I wonder how much Samuel is getting for that one? What did Bill get for Lukaku, £75 million? Haven't we got a striker on loan at Anderlecht? surely better than Deeney? Joke!

Shane Corcoran 59Posted
04/12/2017 at
17:05:24

You have to hand it to the rags; N'zonzi was bought by Allardyce and still has a relationship with him.

What nobody has mentioned is that N'zonzi hasn't been seen in the last two league games after being substituted at half time against Liverpool. It's reported that he's not injured but that he's fallen out with the manager.

Good player but very, very temperamental. Does anyone remember him hurting himself while playing for Stoke and the other team's fans (could've been Everton) did the usual booing. N'zonzi jumped up and threw his arms in the general direction of the stand as if to say "it really hurts."

Incidentally, the lad that has replaced N'zonzi in the Sevilla midfield looks like a clone of his. Maybe we could steal one of them and nobody would notice.

Mike Price 60Posted
04/12/2017 at
17:24:07

£10 million maximum for Deeney or we're continuing the stupidity of the summer. He would be a good addition though, because he's tough and no nonsense, something we've needed since the much missed Tim Cahill left.

We do need some extra size, power and pace...that's a no-brainer and is not exclusive to Sam Allardyce. I hope he shows the door to our nice, quiet boys like Jags and Baines and shifts Mirallas, McCarthy, Klaassen, Schneiderlin and Besic.

Trouble is, we suddenly have to sell at a loss and buy at a premium.

Dave Williams 61Posted
04/12/2017 at
18:46:55

What I read somewhere (can't recall where) is that Moshiri will give Sam a war chest of £40m plus player sales. Not £40m for Deeney!

Sam is shopping at a higher level now and I would expect better players though I too think N'Zonzi is very good.

Steve Mink 62Posted
04/12/2017 at
20:20:09

Nzonzi is a tidy player and not the clogger some remember from Stoke.

Deeney gives nothing new. Would like Sandro to be given a proper run-out.

Mike Gaynes 63Posted
04/12/2017 at
22:59:11

Since Watford came up to the Premier League, Deeney has scored 27 goals in 93 appearances... but six are from penalties. Both his goals this season are from the spot.

For an aging striker who's worth a little less than a goal every four games from open play, £40 million is beyond ridiculous.

David Hallwood 64Posted
04/12/2017 at
23:07:08

I might be in a minority (possibly of 1) but I think we need to spend on defence rather than a striker; we can make do and mend with what we've got plus young Henry if we can get him in January, and only buy a genuine 20+goal man, not a Bargain Hunt type of player.

My concern with a the Deeneys of the world that they don't advance us as a club; in addition, would it be Big Sam's route one, knock it long, and fight for the second ball philosophy as oppose to his statement that he wants to see the club grow; but which of the top 6 sides play like that?

Mike Gaynes 65Posted
04/12/2017 at
23:13:20

Derek (#41), funny you should mention Giroud. I wonder whether he might change his mind in January, because he's not getting much game time and right now his position with France appears in danger for the World Cup.

Just this morning, France assistant manager Guy Stephan came out and said Giroud must consider moving on.

John Smith 66Posted
05/12/2017 at
12:51:59

In Sevilla's Champions League game against Liverpool just a few days ago, the latter were winning 3-0 with N'Zonzi in the midfield. He gets substituted at half-time... Sevilla come back and tie the game 3-3.

Food for thought!

Clive Mitchell 67Posted
05/12/2017 at
18:50:54

Just so long as there's no truth in the story that we've enquired about Roadrunner Walcott. Unless we asked them "What possessed you to give him all those contracts over the years?"

John Dubay 68Posted
05/12/2017 at
20:26:56

What's happened to Onyekuru? Can we not get him back? He's an Everton player, only on loan at Anderlecht.

Raymond Fox 69Posted
05/12/2017 at
21:56:21

It's only paper talk so it's probably bullshit anyway. There is a link to Sam, so on the other hand it may be true.

Nzonzi woudn't be a bad buy by any means. Deeney's an okay player, and Allardyce probably thinks he gives us more physicality at corners and set pieces. The cost of players has gone sky high recently but I too think £40m for Deeney is excessive, £20m maybe.

It's notoriously difficult to attract top players in January, it's okay saying I'd sooner have so and so, but there's lots of reasons why it doesn't happen. We have enough not get relegated anyway, especially with the new manager, so I'm not that fussed about transfers.

I'd sooner stick with the young players and make a fresh start in the summer. We also have a number of promising young players out on loan that will come back to us for next season. If we can't attract better players now, why bother.

Jay Harris 70Posted
05/12/2017 at
22:30:33

Danny Rose, Ben Gibson, Jamie Vardy top 4.

Opas Amornlarp 71Posted
06/12/2017 at
01:33:36

£15m for Deeney.

Brian Wilkinson 72Posted
06/12/2017 at
02:11:47

Rather pay half that amount for Kevin Gameiro.

Will Mabon 73Posted
06/12/2017 at
04:22:01

Clive, there's been a little more rumour about Walcott. I hope it is just rumour.

Mike Gaynes 74Posted
06/12/2017 at
05:54:24

John (#68), no. For work permit reasons, our purchase of Henry was contingent on his remaining at Anderlecht for the full season. We cannot get him back until the summer.

I've only seen him twice, but by all accounts he's having a brilliant season, and a Belgian paper reported yesterday that Barca and Man Utd are interested in him.

Tony Everan 75Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:39:51

Walcott Rumours... on £110k - 140k pw

Maybe when he was 23 and had a future; at 28-29, no resale value, I can't see anyone stumping up those wages, unless he's on a free.

Tony Everan 76Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:42:26

Deeney / Richarlison interest, or are we just making mischief with the Watford board? Forcing them to double their players salaries or leave them unsettled?

Colin Glassar 77Posted
06/12/2017 at
08:59:12

Nzoni, Shaw, Walcott, Gameiro and any other talented rejects would be welcome at Everton in my opinion.

Dale Rose 78Posted
06/12/2017 at
14:13:42

Walcott, a possible, talented, and would do well here. Needs to play every week, which he would get. Troy, no way unless he was on a free.

The Stoke guy Shaquiri would be good for us. Been quite impressive over the last few games.

John Dingle 79Posted
06/12/2017 at
14:19:08

Did Big Sam have Steven N'zonzi at Blackburn? I have a feeling he did and they fell out over Big Sam making fun of N'Zonzi's named and likening to inzomnia (sp).

If I have remembered correctly, would he sign for Big Sam again? I agree his position is not a priority but he could replace Schneiderlin who has to go.

Ryan Jones 80Posted
06/12/2017 at
14:29:28

John (#81)

That was Joe Kinnear with Charles N'zogbia at Newcastle.

Derek Knox 81Posted
06/12/2017 at
15:04:32

John Dingle, he definitely started his career in England at Bolton, but whether Sam was there at the time or had left by then I am not sure.

Anyway I digress, basically I do remember him playing for Stoke, but hasten to add without him being outstanding, but more of a decent player.

How they suddenly rate him in the £20M + category now is beyond me, what I can gather, he has had a couple of good seasons in Spain, and since fallen out of favour.

The big question being why? Is it because his form has dipped, is it because of his attitude, or a combination of these?

The only good thing to come of a prospective move is, should a sensible fee be agreed upon, he would displace Schneiderlin. People rave about him, but I have only ever seen him have one decent game in 18 months!

Kim Vivian 82Posted
06/12/2017 at
17:49:16

I'm always more than a little sceptical when managers go after their past players. It sort of strikes me as being a little lazy.

I struggle to think of any players who have followed previous managers to new clubs with any resounding success. In our case I can think of Alcaraz, Robles and McCarthy who Martinez brought from Wigan, and Schneiderlin, Stekelenburg and Martina from Koeman's Southampton  (I realise Schneiderlin came via Man Utd). I don't think Moyes brought anyone from Preston but the Everton players who followed him to Sunderland hardly lit the place up.

Of those, McCarthy and perhaps Robles are the only two with any merit. Sam is now (allegedly) going after his old cohorts and I just hope due diligence is being observed in considering all alternatives. Is N'Zonzi someone who Sam has latched onto, or has Walsh alerted him? I personally know little about him but I haven't read anyone on here busting with enthusiasm. Was he playing in the friendly preseason?

John Smith's earlier comment about the turn around when he was subbed off against Liverpool was rather telling, but hopefully Steve Walsh is busy getting together a decent hit list for January and if this fella does come I will wish him all the best but I remain sceptical in the meantime.

John Dingle 83Posted
06/12/2017 at
18:17:42

Ryan (#80) you are bob on. Thanks for that.

Steve Ferns 84Posted
06/12/2017 at
18:21:55

Moyes bought Kevin Kilbane Who played with him (rather than for him) at Preston.

He also tried to bring in some others like the goalie but ultimately decided that they werent good enough.

Allardyce managed Nzonzi at Blackburn.

And his name is Nzonzi: https://m.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Steven-nzonzi-s-ecrit-sans-apostrophe/847380

John Dubay 85Posted
06/12/2017 at
20:51:28

Mike (#74), thanks; I heard that the club we're going to try in January; must have been misinformed.

Graham Hammond 86Posted
07/12/2017 at
04:14:45

I sincerely hope the board will learn lessons from the last transfer window and not sanction deals for players with little or no re-sale value. Bringing in the likes of Deeney and Walcott will only restrict playing minutes for the likes of Calvert-Lewin, Sandro, Lookman, Vlasic and Onyekuru. They are our future; signing the likes of Deeney will simply push young talent away from Everton.

John Dingle 87Posted
06/12/2017 at
13:41:07

Ryan (#80) you are bob on. Thanks for that.

Kim Vivian 88Posted
08/12/2017 at
09:27:37

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang  Now this is one rumour I do hope comes to fruition. Averaging almost a goal a game over the past two seasons. 42 goals in 44 games if Wiki is to be believed.

Sam Hoare 89Posted
08/12/2017 at
10:00:16

Kim @88  very wishful thinking, I reckon. There would be a whole host of Champions League clubs in for him if he was moving.

I would rather Giroud than Walcott as the latter relies on a pace that is dwindling. Generally speaking, I would rather we target players in the 22-26 range as this seems to be what we are lacking. We have lots of youngsters and lots of old heads.

I actually think we will struggle to get a striker in January who is going to be a big improvement on Calvert-Lewin and Niasse and would rather wait till the Summer and give those two the chance I think their effort has deserved. Other than that, I think we have a big enough squad and it is simply a case of replacing/upgrading if the likes of Barkley, Schneiderlin etc leave/can be sold. The only position that I feel certain we need to remedy is left-back. Baines has simply not looked up to it this year and I don't think it's coincidence that our form has turned around without him in the team. He's still got the mind but just not the body. Not quick, dynamic or strong enough.

Shaw might be an interesting option. Chilwell looks promising. Van Aanholt would not be the end of the world. Someone like Tierney from Celtic could be interesting or someone like Guerreiro from Dortmund or Telles from Porto would be top class. Or is it worth seeing if Kenny can play there when Coleman returns?

David Ellis 90Posted
08/12/2017 at
10:41:25

Sam (#89)  totally agree  no point in buying a striker unless they are clearly better than Niasse and Calvert-Lewin and Sandro. Troy Deeney is not in that category. Giroud is better... but he's also slow so not sure he would be the answer either.

Anyway, with confidence returning, Bolasie and Coleman to come back during the second half of the season, I think our squad balance will improve.

Agree we need a left back and possibly a good centre back and a centre forward... but they need to demonstrably better than what we already have, otherwise wait for the summer or for the youngsters to grow into the role. I would rather we made one good signing than 3 naff ones.

Steve Ferns 91Posted
08/12/2017 at
11:02:48

Kim, I saw that Aubameyang rumour. Where do you reckon he'd play? He's not a traditional English centre-forward. He's more likely to play left of a front three. But he is big, he is strong, and he does hold up the ball. What do you reckon?

Steve... 6 months ago, part of a 9-man midfield! Now maybe playing a little more "modern", that is without a classic centre-forward role but a flexible striker/attacking midfielder role. Works for our cousins?

Kim Vivian 94Posted
08/12/2017 at
11:57:10

Steve  He's is a very athletic individual and he could form a formidable partnership with Calvert-Lewin, feeding off each other and deliveries from a rejuvenated Rooney (from his deeper role) and Sigurdsson in midfield, Lookman and Vlasic on the flanks and overlapping deliveries from Kenny and a new left-back (eg, Shaw, Cresswell, Rose... Baines if his batteries can be replaced).

We have a wealth of talent maturing nicely and while this season we are not going to set the world on fire, this acquisition if it could happen would send some strong messages out. If Sam can consolidate a decent finish this season, he or another incumbent (wishing back to Simeone whose style of play would be a great fit with our squad as it's shaping up) could really see us on the up next term.

Last night's run-out was a thoroughly encouraging (and eye-opening) display, all round. I'm starting to feel optimistic again and we just need to throw off those shackles and pull something off this weekend. Sam could make our Xmases early and would become an overnight legend.

Peter Roberts 95Posted
08/12/2017 at
12:36:07

Reported in the Mirror for £60m.

I like the idea but no chance, Real and PSG were allegedly sniffing round him in the summer.

Steve Ferns 96Posted
08/12/2017 at
12:46:32

PSG have no cash, they are deep in it for FFP. Madrid are saving their pennies because they are set to ship out Cristiano Ronaldo Aveiro in the summer.

I think there's legs to this. Dortmund are in need of cash to shake their team up and they're actively trying to sell Aubameyang. The question is: will the player's agent then use us to flush out other sides who would be preferred options? This is the problem we had in the summer. We were too ambitious, and couldn't land the players we went in for.

Kim, you seem to be describing a 4-4-2 and there's too many attacking players names in that line-up to be realistic. If Rooney plays deep, he'll be supported by two defensive-minded central midfielders.

I think the left of a front three, in a 4-3-3, is a better position for him in a more balanced side. We've played more 4-5-1 in the last two league games (and 4-2-3-1 last night) and Aubameyang would have to play up top on his own in this formation.

Jamie Crowley 97Posted
08/12/2017 at
14:23:33

If we pay £40 million for Deeney, we're idiots.

And, just wait 3-6 months until the newspapers uncover the fact 1/3 of that price was kicked back to Big Sam.

Absurd.

Lenny Kingman 98Posted
08/12/2017 at
15:08:46

"Ho, ho, ho!" says Santa Sam. "Fifty per cent of the £40 million for the Greek is mine. Merry Christmas!"

Now this is business the Allardyce way. Get used to it, you soft-hearted blue boys. All hail!!!

James Flynn 99Posted
08/12/2017 at
15:44:35

Watched the video Steve posted.

Yes, please!

Tony Everan 100Posted
08/12/2017 at
16:10:50

Aubameyang is coming January 1st, 7 days after Santa and 6 months before Simeone arrives.

Happy Christmas, everybody.

Brian Williams 101Posted
08/12/2017 at
16:16:57

Ambulance for Toooooooooooooooooony!!!

By the way, on a serious note: If Aubameyang comes to Everton, I shall paint my johnson Royal Blue and streak across the Goodison pitch before a "summer" Premier League game! (Don't wanna be "further" ridiculed by doing it on a very cold day!)

Darren Hind 102Posted
08/12/2017 at
20:30:06

Jamie C

We are the club who paid £75M for Schneiderlin, Klaassen and Keane, but surely nobody would be daft enough to pay £40M for Deeney?

Kim Vivian 103Posted
13/12/2017 at
08:29:03

Looks like Arsenal have spiked our guns anyway on the Nzonzi deal at £35m if rumours are to be believed.

Is he really worth that?

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